Problems on lagging, frozen or unresponsive display are often tied to a memory issue like insufficient storage space available. Often times, these problems begin to occur months or even years of using the device in regular basis. However, there are some factors that can trigger early occurrence of similar symptoms even in new devices just like what some iPhone X users have encountered recently. It was then found that a system bug has caused the iPhone X screen to freeze or become unresponsive after the restarting or when using the phone.

Mapped out in this post are other possible reasons as to why your iPhone X screen gets frozen or is not responding to touch. A few recommended workarounds and generic solutions are also provided just in case you need help in fixing a similar issue on the same device. Read on to find out why your iPhone X touchscreen is not working and what options you may have as solution.

Before we move on, if you have other issues with your iPhone, visit our iPhone X troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most commonly reported issues with the device. Browse through the page to find issues similar with yours. If you still need our assistance after that, then fill up our Android issues questionnaire to contact us.

What causes your iPhone X touchscreen to become unresponsive?

Considering that what you have is a new device, insufficient memory shouldn’t be an issue. Having said that, you can look into other possibilities or factors that can trigger relevant issues to occur.

Setting aside the possibility of performance problems and errors inflicted by insufficient memory, the problem at hand could be due to an app malfunction, random glitches, or other flaws in iOS. If your iPhone X screen suddenly freezes and becomes unresponsive while using a certain app and that the problem only occurs in that app, then you can conclude that the problem is isolated to an application. The app might have contained some malware or corrupted segments that trigger it to crash or become unstable.

Another possible trigger are faulty updates to apps or iOS. Updates can also contain bugs that often cause conflict to system functions. Minor bugs are often remedied by an app reset or soft reset on the phone but complex bugs may already require system reset as remedy.

For as long as everything is good with the iPhone X hardware, the problem will most likely be resolved on your end using any of the applicable workarounds. Keep reading to know what to do when troubleshooting your iPhone X software.

Before you do any further troubleshooting, try to check for available software update for your iPhone X. The problem on the iPhone X touchscreen that becomes unresponsive in cold weather has been recognized by Apple as an iOS bug and in response, it rolls out a new firmware containing the required fix patch. The official fix patch is pushed through a new iOS update version 11.1.2. Aside from unresponsive screen, the update also fixes problems on distorted Live Photos and videos shot with the iPhone X. If you haven’t installed the update yet, then you should do so now.

To get started, head over to your iPhone X Settings-> General-> Software Update. Backup up your data then proceed with the iOS update download and installation.

If you’ve already installed the new iOS update containing the fix patch to unresponsive iPhone X display but to no avail, then consider the next possible solutions mapped out below.

Force your iPhone X to restart

A forced restart works similar to the usual reboot (soft reset) in rectifying minor software glitches. It has been used as an effective solution to various types of problems concerning the software, which in turn caused the device to become unresponsive. Here’s how a forced restart is done on your iPhone X:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.

Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button.

Finally, press and hold the Side (Power) button until you see the Apple logo.

Your device will then power cycle. If that won’t fix the problem and your iPhone X screen still gets frozen, try the next applicable solutions.

Boot your iPhone X in recovery mode

Recovery mode restore is often the key to fixing software problems that are tough enough to withstand the usual troubleshooting procedures like a forced restart and reset.

Connect your iPhone X to a Windows or Mac computer using the Apple-supplied USB connector or Lightning cable.

Open iTunes on your computer. Make sure you are running the latest version of iTunes software.

While your iPhone is connected, force it to restart with these steps:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.

Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button.

Finally, press and hold the Side (Power) button. But do not release the button when you see the Apple logo, instead wait for the Recovery Mode screen.

If prompted with the option to restore or update, select Update. Doing so will let iTunes try to reinstall iOS without erasing your data and download the software for your device.

If the download takes more than 15 minutes, your iPhone will exit recovery mode and if that happens, you will need to go back to the previous steps in entering recovery mode again.

Restore your iPhone X in DFU Mode

Resetting in DFU mode is often considered the last option in troubleshooting iOS. When nothing else is working, then you should consider giving it a shot. It’s a deepest type of restore you can do on your iPhone. It works by erasing and reloading every bit of code that controls your iPhone’s software and hardware.

Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode puts your iPhone into a state wherein it is still able to communicate with iTunes on a computer without activating the iOS or bootloader.

Note: Do not attempt to carry out a DFU mode restore if physical or liquid damage is present on your device. Also make sure that your iPhone has sufficient charge. All these must be observed in order to prevent causing the iPhone to brick due to unsuccessful or incomplete DFU mode restore/update. If this happens, you will likely to end up having a fully dysfunctional iPhone X instead. If you are not sure of what you are doing, then you better not risk in trying a DFU Mode restore or update in the first place. You always have the option to escalate the problem to your device carrier or Apple Support anyway.

If you are willing to try your luck in a DFU mode restore/update, the following steps will walk you through the entire process. And to prevent possible interruptions in the middle of the DFU mode restore process, make sure that your iPhone has sufficient charge before you begin.

Connect your iPhone X to your computer. You can use a Windows PC or Mac computer that is compatible with your iPhone X. Be sure to connect your iPhone using the supplied USB connector or Lightning cable.

Open iTunes on the computer. Again, use the latest version of iTunes software to avoid bumping into problems caused by system conflicts.

Turn off your iPhone X, if necessary.

Press and hold down the Power/Side button for about 3 seconds.

Keep holding down the Power/Side button then press and hold the Volume Downbutton. Keep holding both buttons for 10 seconds. If you see the Apple logo, it means that you’ve held the buttons too long and thus you’ll need to start all over.

Release the Side/Power button but keep holding down the Volume Down button for about 5 seconds. If you see the Plug into iTunes screen, then it means you’ve held the button for too long and so you’ll need to start again.

If the screen remains black, it means you have successfully entered DFU mode. At this point, iTunes will prompt you with an alert message saying that it has detected your iPhone X and will allow it to be restored. Follow the onscreen instructions to restore or update your iPhone X in DFU mode through iTunes.

Entering DFU mode requires timing so if you don’t get there in the first attempt, don’t forget to try again.

Seek more help

If your iPhone X touchscreen problem persists after updating iOS and performing all the above-mentioned procedures, then at this point contact your carrier or Apple Support to escalate the problem for further assistance and recommendations. If your iPhone is still under warranty, then you might as well opt to avail for warranty instead. It would be a wiser and better option than waiting for longer for nothing.

I have tried to “Boot your iPhone X in recovery mode”. I end up with iTunes saying the update is complete. But when the iPhone X restart it gets stuck with “Swipe to upgrade” and swipe does not work. Don’t know what to do then??

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